Victoria Bella Volkov:

The day of my welcome party had arrived, and here I was, being dressed like a doll. Layers of satin and lace, brushstrokes of powder and rouge—every detail was being fussed over.

A knock on the door interrupted the flurry. One of the maids hurried to answer it.

“A delivery for Mrs. Volkov,” a man said curtly, handing her a package. She nodded, bringing it to me.

“Open it,” I instructed, barely glancing at the box. She obeyed, carefully peeling away ...